sPECIALTIES

Chronic Pain

Functional Neurological Disorder

Grief and loss

Compassion and Mindfulness

Biofeedback

Hypnotherapy and guided Imagery

Workshops and cosultation

Chronic pain is exhausting.

Chronic pain is debilitating.

Acting fine is often easier than explaining the struggle, as loved ones may not understand or know how to help.

Chronic pain, a condition seldom discussed, can leave many feeling secluded and misunderstood. It's awkward for others; they wish to help but lack the means.

Pain can seep into every part of life, disturbing sleep, making eating a coping strategy, restricting exercise to 'good days', and leading to mood swings with the pain level.

Therapy aims to tackle all these aspects to control and enhance your overall pain experience. Treatments may involve biofeedback, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness practices.

These methods  help transform your view of pain and enrich your life.

Chronic Pain

fUNCTIONAL

nEUROLOGICAL

dISORDER

Being diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) can be challenging, both for patients and medical professionals. Often, FND does not have clear biomedical markers for confirmation, and it is not easily remedied by medication or procedures.

Patients frequently encounter misconceptions, such as the belief that symptoms are imagined or exaggerated. However, these symptoms are genuine and can significantly disrupt one's life.

Patients often express frustration and confusion over their condition, feeling misunderstood by healthcare providers and hindered by their symptoms. Despite these challenges, it is crucial to recognize that the mind and body are not defective. Instead, there may be a miscommunication between how the mind and body interact, leading to disruptive symptoms.

As a professional with extensive experience treating fnd, I am committed to listening to your journey and providing support.

By identifying signs, understanding triggers, and learning symptom management, patients can lead fuller lives. In some cases, symptoms may reduce significantly or even resolve, while in others, they become less obstructive, allowing individuals to focus on what matters most in their daily lives. For further discussion on how we can work together towards managing FND, please feel free to reach out.

Grief and Loss

There is no timeline for how long grief lasts.

Losing a loved one or losing a part of your identity is a challenging part of life.

It may feel like it’s not living anymore, now that it’s so different. Comparing yourself to what it was like prior to this loss can leave you missing out on your life in the present.

Setting aside time to really explore what you are feeling is such an important part of the grieving process. It can be important to create ways to honor them, feel their effect on you, and begin to acknowledge those around you and aspects of your life you can still enjoy.

I am here to help. I will meet you wherever you are in this process and aid with finding out where you want to go, even if you aren’t sure yourself right now. 

Compassion and Mindfulness

Compassion, derived from the Latin term meaning 'with passion,' is what drives us to dedicate time in our lives to activities we find meaningful. It's a tool that helps us identify our values and pursue the aspects of life that matter most to us.

Being compassionate towards oneself is just as important; it can even soften the harshness one might show towards others. Compassion isn't about being overly soft or lenient, nor is it about being moved to tears by any touching scenario. It's more than empathy.

True compassion involves understanding and a genuine desire to offer assistance. It's the foundation of therapy; without it, a therapist would merely listen without taking further action.

Compassion stems from awareness—recognizing our bodily sensations, emotional responses, and thoughts. This awareness gives us choices, and with choices, we avoid feeling trapped.

Biofeedback and Hypnotherapy

Experience the empowerment of biofeedback. This technique is not just about understanding your body—it’s about taking control. With biofeedback, you gain the power to regulate vital functions that once seemed beyond your reach.

Imagine being able to manage your heart rate or lower your blood pressure through awareness. Biofeedback offers this possibility. It’s a partnership between technology and your body’s signals, leading to enhanced health and well-being.

The process is straightforward and non-intrusive. Electrodes read your body’s signals, guiding you toward positive changes. This can be particularly helpful for managing stress and enhancing your body’s response to pain.

Hypnotherapy is more than a treatment—it’s a journey to a better you. It taps into the subconscious, where your deepest patterns reside. Here, positive change is not just imagined—it’s realized.

This method is perfect for those looking to overcome anxiety, break free from phobias, or change unwanted habits. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, hypnotherapy can lead to profound shifts in your mental landscape.

Embrace this path to mental clarity and inner peace. Hypnotherapy offers a unique opportunity to rebalance your life and discover lasting well-being. It’s not just about coping—it’s about thriving.

The biofeedback process involves placing electrodes on the fingers, abdomen, and sometimes specific muscles, like the trapezius, to read the body's electrical activity. These electrodes are safe, emitting no electricity into the body, and each reading informs the practitioner on where adjustments can be made for significant health improvements.

Research on biofeedback, particularly addressing HRV, show significant improvements for myriad of conditions, including cornonary artery disease, stroke, chronic pain, insomnia, depression, anxieety, post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), hostility/anger, and general stress. it also can significantly improve athletic performance. the impact on the autnomic nervous system can be especially effective for those with amplified pain responses.this non-invasive treatment can greatly improve physical and mental health issues and overall well-being simply by adjusting your breathing. why not try this brief, effective intervention yourself.

HYPNOTHERAPY AND GUIDED IMAGERY

HYPNOSIS WORKS ON THE PREMISE THAT WE ALREADY HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS WITHIN US. HYPNOTHERAPY CAN HELP OPEN UP THE MIND’S WILLINGNESS TO SHARE ITS WISDOM WITH YOU. BY CREATING A RELAXING ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO KEEPING THE CONSCIOUS MIND OCCUPIED, SOME OF THE USUAL OBSTACLES TO CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING ARE REMOVED. THE MIND BECOMES MORE OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS AND MORE WILLING TO TRY DIFFERENT WAYS OF APPROACHING A CHALLENGE.

HYPNOSIS IS NOT ABOUT A PRACTITIONER CONTROLLING YOU. YOU HAVE FULL CONTROL THROUGHOUT THE HYPNOTIC PROCESS. IN FACT, YOU WILL NEVER

ENGAGE WITH AN IDEA THAT YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO TRY. THERE ARE MANY MYTHS IN MEDIA ABOUT HYPNOSIS. IF CONDUCTED BY A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL WHO FOLLOWS ETHICAL GUIDELINES, HYPNOSIS CAN BE A HELPFUL TREATMENT MODALITY TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGES.

HYPNOSIS CAN BE HELPFUL FOR A VARIETY OF ISSUES. WHETHER YOU ARE CONSIDERING IT FOR SYMPTOM REDUCTION, INCREASED SELF-EXPLORATION, OR IMPROVEMENTS IN YOUR PERFORMANCE, WE CAN DISCUSS WHETHER HYPNOSIS MAY BE HELPFUL FOR YOU.

SOMETIMES, STARTING WITH GUIDED RELAXATION AND IMAGERY PRACTICES CAN BE A FIRST STEP IN DETERMINING YOUR OPENNESS TO THERAPEUTIC SUGGESTIONS VIA HYPNOSIS. DEEPER STATES OF RELAXATION AND USE OF IMAGERY CAN MIMIC THE EXPERIENCE OF HYPNOSIS AND CAN BE AN EQUALLY EFFECTIVE METHOD TO CREATE CHANGE.

THE MIND DOES NOT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REAL OR IMAGINED, THIS IS WHY SIMPLY THINKING ABOUT STRESSFUL SITUATIONS CAN BRING ON ANXIETY OR OTHER EMOTIONS AND PHYSICAL REACTIONS. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IMAGINING A DESIRED OUTCOME CAN BE AS POWERFUL AS ACTUALLY DOING THE BEHAVIOR. WE CAN WORK THROUGH DIFFICULT EXPERIENCES THROUGH GUIDED IMAGERY PRACTICES TO AID THE BRAIN IN CHANGING THE WAY YOU REACT TO IT IN THE FUTURE. IMAGERY AND RELAXATION SKILLS ARE ALSO RELATED TO MINDFULNESS. SEE THAT SECTION ABOVE TO LEARN HOW INCREASING SELF-AWARENESS CAN DECREASE SUFFERING AND DISTRESS AND IMPROVE YOUR LIFE IN MEANINGFUL WAYS.

WORKSHOPS AND CONSULTATION

The following workshops may be in-person or virtual, depending on requests. Contact us to find out what courses are happening now and which ones are coming up! Workshops can also be modified for patients. medical providers, or family/loved ones. Send in your requests and what courses or consultation services you are

interested in. Call to inquire on rates, which can be determined on a case-by-case basis.

MIND-BODY APPROACHES TO PAIN MANAGEMENT

A workshop for improved wellness surrounding pain. Learn about the neurobiology of pain and how powerful mindfulness interventions can be to change the “pain brain”. This course focuses on multiple areas affected by pain: sleep, cognitive restructuring, perspective-taking, mindful movements, social support, and healthy communication.

ACT: MOVING AWAY FROM PAIN AND TOWARD A MORE MEANINGFUL LIFE

Painful life experiences can take us away from the activities we enjoy. Learning to take back your life and all the joy it can offer will be discovered in this course. Learn along with others how stuck we can get by using words and listening to our history. Each participant will play a key role in helping one another see how fused we become with certain identities and ways of being. Breaking free of the rules that do not serve you can be liberating. Take a risk that could result in a more meaningful life. This course explores behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations and how they impact us…and don’t need to.

SUPPORT FOR LIFE’S CHALLENGES

Dealing with life is more difficult when done alone. Find strength with the support of others. Remember when we would socialize in-person prior to the pandemic? We can connect with others again in meaningful ways. Contact me to find out what groups are meeting currently and what groups are upcoming.

SELF-CARE FOR THE HEALTHCARE TEAM:

BURNOUT PREVENTION AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE

A workshop that addresses the unhealthy result of burnout. Learn about the variables that lead to work distress and burnout and the impact on staff and whole businesses. Learn about the neurobiology of stress and how both mental and physical health are negatively affected. Engage in practices that can buffer you against burnout and set up a self-care plan that is accessible at work and home. Come for yourself or bring your whole team.

CONSULTATION & SUPERVISION SERVICES

Dr. Weits García offers scheduled time for individual or group/team consultation needs. Her expertise covers a wide range of health psychology issues, with emphasis on managing chronic medical conditions and chronic pain and somatic symptoms or FND. For over two decades she has dedicated

her career focus on health promotion and disease prevention. She was recognized as a Master Clinician in 2020 at the Naval Medical Center. She educates on research-backed Mind-Body interventions, including Mindfulness- and Compassion-based therapies and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). She has lectured at national conferences on self-care and burnout prevention and has given formal grand round and team presentations on topics spanning all of her specialty areas. She has lectured to and advised medical teams and mental health colleagues on best practices for supporting various patient concerns. For example, she conducted a joint lecture with a neurologist to educate emergency department staff on how to improve interactions with high utilizing patients and those with fnd symptoms. Consider how Dr. Weits García could aid with improving you or your team’s performance and knowledge.

Seeking clinical supervision from a licensed psychologist? Dr. Weits García has extensive clinical supervisory experience working as a core supervisory faculty member for 14 years with the American Psychological Association (apa) approved internship program with the Navy at the Naval Medical Center In San Diego. She supervised over 100 interns and in 2019 earned recognition for her outstanding skills by receiving the Faculty of the Year Award. Interns and hospital staff often stated how approachable and ‘down to earth’ she was with others and the ease in which she could explain concepts to colleagues and patients alike. See the speciality sections for more information on which areas of expertise Dr. Weits García can provide. Imagine enhancing your knowledge and skills with more confidence and improved ways of connecting with your clients and colleagues.